Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants

Chapter 300: A Month of Changes and Hannah's Invitation

Looking at the school admission letter in his hand, Ciel felt somewhat dazed. Summer vacation had passed far more quickly than he'd anticipated. For most young wizards his age, this was probably an agonizingly long summer, making them eager to return to Hogwarts. Indeed, the more mature one's mind becomes, the faster time seems to fly. Ciel had deeply experienced this in his previous life.

Fortunately, he hadn't wasted these weeks. Using Horned Toad Slime, he'd catalyzed an entire new batch of Margaret plants to Silver tier in the Sprout family greenhouse. While the effects weren't as dramatic as Edeline's blood, the catalyzed Margaret flowers' tier was somewhat inferior to those before; they were at least controllable and stable, which satisfied Ciel greatly.

On Sprout Island, Ciel similarly used Horned Toad Slime to improve the Goldfish Plants he'd cultivated. Unfortunately, the effects weren't as good as with Margaret. They only reached Bronze tier. However, these Bronze-tier Goldfish Plants significantly enhanced his magical power perception abilities compared to the previous Black Iron tier.

Just completing these two most urgent projects consumed most of Ciel's time. With the remaining weeks, he focused on preparing the Chamber of Secrets. Only two days ago had he finally finished organizing all the chamber's soil, mixing in various magical fertilizer potions.

Within about a week, the effectiveness of the potions should be fully manifest. Then the Chamber's soil conditions might even surpass the small greenhouse. After that, I can continue cultivating the Petrifying Devil Vine inside.

As these thoughts floated through his mind, Ciel's lips curved into a smile.

Just then, another owl arrived, fluttering its wings to deliver a letter. Ciel immediately recognized Hannah's handwriting:

"Dear Ciel, I'm sure you've received your admission letter. Do you have time today to visit Diagon Alley and buy school supplies? Now is the busiest time there. I can show you around."

Ciel suddenly remembered. When preparing his aunt's birthday gift, he'd promised Hannah to accompany her to Diagon Alley before school started. He'd been so immersed in herbology this month that he'd almost forgotten!

Though Ciel disliked troublesome social obligations, Hannah had genuinely helped him considerably. Since his work was nearly complete anyway, and he needed to visit Diagon Alley regardless, he had time to spare.

He quickly wrote a reply to Hannah, arranging a meeting time and place, then rushed back to the Sprout family home. After all, he was still wearing work robes and should dress more formally when meeting someone.

As Ciel changed into proper clothes and washed up, preparing to inform his aunt he was leaving, Professor Sprout's face lit up with anticipation.

"Ciel, do you have plans to meet a friend? Going to Diagon Alley?" she asked.

Ciel hesitated. "Yes, it's Hannah," he replied.

Professor Sprout's expression became even more delighted.

"Oh, that's wonderful! Though Hannah isn't as clever as Miss Granger, I must tell you, such honest, simple girls are quite adorable. You're doing well, Ciel! Keep up the good work!"

Ciel's face twitched several times, and he practically fled the room. His aunt was wonderful in every way except for this. She completely flustered him. From her tone, it seemed she hoped Ciel would have multiple romantic entanglements before graduation, ideally producing plenty of offspring for the Sprout family line.

Shaking his head, Ciel approached the fireplace and scattered Floo Powder.

"Knockturn Alley!"

After a spinning sensation, Ciel appeared inside Borgin and Burkes. It was worth noting that the Ministry's recent crackdown on Dark wizards and Dark magic artifacts had finally succeeded through careful negotiations among various factions. Fudge had been boasting in the Daily Prophet about the "abundant results," though the actual division of benefits remained known only to those involved. Ciel didn't care about such politics. For him, the easing of tensions simply meant the Dark magic market was resuming.

Old Borgin eagerly retrieved a package from beneath the counter and presented it to Ciel. A faint silver glow emanated from within Ciel's Patronus Tree seed. The Dark magic items in the package, including some rare treasures, had all their Dark magical power extinguished, transforming into nourishment for the seed. Through Ciel's observation, the Legendary luster on the Patronus Tree seed had grown slightly. The reward information on it was far clearer than it was a month ago.

After completely annihilating the Blood Soul Thorn branch recently, this Patronus Tree seed is very close to reaching Legendary tier now. If I collect more Dark magic items, especially those the Malfoy family has been purchasing from the darker regions of the magical world, which should arrive soon, I'll achieve complete advancement quickly.

Ciel left Borgin and Burkes, heading toward Diagon Alley. Along the way, the number of Dark wizards active in Knockturn Alley visibly decreased, far more restrained than before. No one dared follow Ciel anymore, fearing the Aurors might conduct another entrapment operation.

Shortly after, Ciel arrived at his arranged meeting place with Hannah. At first glance, the sight surprised him. Hannah had abandoned her typical two clumsy but cute pigtails, replacing them with a braid. She no longer wore her witch's robes but instead wore a charming floral dress. Seeing Ciel, Hannah blushed deeply and waved repeatedly.

Ciel approached with surprise. "Hannah, you're wearing a dress?"

Hannah's face flushed even deeper, and she seemed nervous as she blurted out, "Does it not suit me?"

Ciel responded firmly. "It suits you perfectly. You look very beautiful in that dress."

Hannah exhaled with relief, her face beaming with a radiant smile.

"Then let's go! I'll take you to an ice cream shop. The ice cream there is absolutely amazing."

Ciel paused, offering a helpless but fond smile. Indeed, Hannah was still Hannah. No matter where she was, Hufflepuffs' first priority was always satisfying their appetite.

Though he had to admit, it was quite endearing.

"Alright, let's go. My treat. You can try multiple flavors."

Just then, an excited voice called from not far behind them.

"Ciel?!"